Historic visit reconnects former Principal’s family with University of Chester

Tim is the son of Canon Stanley Astbury, who served as Principal of Chester College from 1935 to 1953. During his visit, Tim, along with family friend Pam, shared personal memories and historic insights into life at the College during an important time in its history. 

Born in the Oswald Room of the Principal’s House, now known as Senate House, Tim returned to the very room where he was born. During his tour of the building, he shared fond anecdotes about his time living there - even recalling how he would hide in the dumbwaiter. 

Tim also attended the cutting of the first sod ceremony as a young boy in 1939 alongside his mother, Mrs Ida Astbury, marking the beginning of construction of what would later become the Fisher and Astbury accommodation buildings on the Exton Park site. 

As part of the visit, Tim brought with him the original spade used by his mother during the 1939 ceremony, now a prized family possession. He generously donated the commemorative plaque from the spade to the University’s archive, ensuring its preservation for future generations. 

During his time on campus, Tim fondly reminisced about his childhood, including memories of eating figs from the tree outside the Chapel and experiencing how the Second World War shaped daily life at the College. Tim also noted how the University has grown over the years. 

Tim concluded his visit with a walk around the campus, revisiting familiar places from his early years and reflecting on the enduring legacy of his family’s connection to Chester. 

Amy Hultum, who looks after the archive in the University, said: “It was a pleasure to spend time with Tim and Pam and learn what his life was like growing up on campus. Thank you to the family for bringing the spade and donating the plaque. 

“The University is grateful to Tim for sharing his memories and for his thoughtful contribution to its historical archives.” 

Professor Eunice Simmons, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Chester, said: “It has been a privilege to welcome Tim back to the University and to hear his remarkable personal stories, which bring our history to life in such a vivid way. The Astbury family has played an important role in shaping our institution and we are deeply grateful for Tim’s generosity in sharing these memories and artefacts. Visits like this remind us of the strong sense of community and heritage that continues to define the University of Chester today.” 

• Captions: Tim Astbury outside the Astbury accommodation building.
• Tim Astbury with Vice-Chancellor, Professor Eunice Simmons inside the Oswald Room.
• Mrs Ida Astbury wields a spade at the cutting of the first sod for the building of the (subsequently named) Fisher House, May 1939. Her husband the Principal (wearing clerical collar) is on the left of the picture, with the bespectacled Vice-Principal Herbert Morrell next to him (Collegian, Summer 1939).